A Sikh truck driver in the US has alleged that traffic police in Mississippi called him a ‘terrorist’ and a county judge later humiliated him by describing his turban as ‘that rag.’
Jagjeet Singh, 49, a trucker from California, was driving through the Mississippi State when he was pulled over for driving with a flat tyre in Pike County on January 16, according to a complaint filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and United Sikhs.
Police officers called Singh a ‘terrorist’ and had him arrested for declining to remove his kirpan, a small, sacred sword of the Sikh faith, which Singh was lawfully wearing in accordance with his religious beliefs.
When he returned to Mississippi for his court date in Pike County, Judge Aubrey Rimes ordered him out of the courtroom because he did not like his turban ? calling it ‘that rag’ -- and threatened to punish him unless he removed it, the ACLU said in a press release. ‘The officers’ shameful treatment of Mr. Singh was an abuse of their authority and a betrayal of the public’s trust that law enforcement officials will carry out their duties free from prejudice,’ said Bear Atwood, legal director at the ACLU.
Jagjeet Singh, 49, a trucker from California, was driving through the Mississippi State when he was pulled over for driving with a flat tyre in Pike County on January 16, according to a complaint filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and United Sikhs.
Police officers called Singh a ‘terrorist’ and had him arrested for declining to remove his kirpan, a small, sacred sword of the Sikh faith, which Singh was lawfully wearing in accordance with his religious beliefs.
When he returned to Mississippi for his court date in Pike County, Judge Aubrey Rimes ordered him out of the courtroom because he did not like his turban ? calling it ‘that rag’ -- and threatened to punish him unless he removed it, the ACLU said in a press release. ‘The officers’ shameful treatment of Mr. Singh was an abuse of their authority and a betrayal of the public’s trust that law enforcement officials will carry out their duties free from prejudice,’ said Bear Atwood, legal director at the ACLU.